Are We There Yet?

By Charabis

For many gamers, the time between when they first find out about a new game and the time the game actually releases can seem like an eternity. We spend every day checking for news, praying for open beta to start, and, in a few cases, begging for a closed beta code. The reality, however, is that no matter what we do, it's still going to take however long it takes. So what are we to do with our time?

Perhaps one of the best things we can do while waiting is begin to establish the community for the game. I'm not talking about which sites we visit to get our information, but the people we talk to every day. Official forums are a great place to start, and a great place to get answers, however, be sure not to overlook the other sites such as Ten Ton Hammer. While their forums are typically quieter, these groups can forge very close ties. It never hurts to have friends when starting a new game ;)

For those among us who like to write, fan-fiction may provide some relief. For the remainder, reading it may help you. The thing with fan-fiction is that it doesn't have to mirror the game itself. Admitedly that would be nigh impossible with the game still in closed beta! Take my fan-fics, Trevia Trouble and At the Bacchanal. Do you really think the gods will be the way they're portrayed in those articles? Probably not, although it would be funny if they were :P

Another option for those of us who tend to get carried away is to spend time with friends and family. Hey, it's a cinch they're not going to be seeing much of us for at least the first couple of weeks after the game releases ;) This would be a great time to remind them that you're still alive and kicking.

In the end, just find something to occupy your time. Sitting around waiting isn't going to help you any. Remember that the longer you wait, the longer it will seem like you've been waiting. Make some friends, get involved with the game's community, or even write fan-fiction. If you're fortunate, you might be able to convince one of the fan sites to post your fan-fic, where it will have the potential to be seen by thousands of people.

They might even like your writing enough to offer you a Volunteer Writer position. I can already see a few of you turning up your noses at the idea of volunteering to write something for free, but you have to look at the big picture. Your name not only gets out in front of tens of thousands of people from around the world, but also a large number of potential employers. Let's also be sure to remember that, as new games are released, the large fan sites, such as Ten Ton Hammer, typically need more Community Managers to cover them.

So let's say two people are equally qualified for the job. One is a relative unknown to the staff, having not been very active excepting a few posts on the forum. The other has been a Volunteer Writer in another division, writing just two articles a month for a few months, but has become disenchanted with the game they're playing. Which one do you think is going to get the job?

So if you find yourself asking, "Are we there yet?" or similar questions, remind yourself that it's time for you to find something to do. You're certainly not going to make the game release any faster by sitting there, stareing at the screen.

Feel free to drop by our fourms and chat! You can even share what you do to pass the time between now and release :)